Drug arrest includes 120 pounds of marijuana

Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:00 a.m.
| Updated on June 15, 2012 at 5:24 p.m.

ELKHART — An Elkhart man was arrested with more than 120 pounds of marijuana, six guns and about $23,260 in cash following an investigation by the Interdiction and Covert Enforcement (ICE) Unit.

Anthony Joseph Mendez, 32, was arrested when the ICE Unit, assisted by the county’s Emergency Service Unit, served a search warrant at 1429 Indiana Ave. at 10:16 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press release from the Elkhart County prosecutor’s office.

Mendez faces preliminary felony charges of being a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, which has a maximum sentence of eight years.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

Curtis Hill, Elkhart County Prosecutor, said the significant amount of marijuana, along with the number of guns, including shotguns and rifles, and large amount of money that was seized indicates “a thriving marijuana market with the city of Elkhart.”

Anyone with information about this case or any other may call the Elkhart County ICE Unit at 294-DRUG.